Drake has broken his silence more than a week after two fatal shootings at his official OVO after-party.
“The last few days I have been in a moral bind,” the Toronto-born rapper said in a written statement posted to a blog. “I am used to the fact that my life and the things I say to my fans are closely watched. It's tough in situations like this where there's a tragedy and I consider the advice of my trusted advisors and counsel who worry that anything I might say could be misinterpreted. However, today I am choosing to follow my heart.”
Drake said he is “plagued and pained by the violence that continues to escalate in our city” and offered his condolences to the victims’ families.
The Aug. 4 shootings at Muzik nightclub claimed the life of Ariela Navarro-Fenoy, 26, of Toronto, and Duvel Hibbert, 23, of Brampton. According to police, Navarro-Fenoy was an innocent bystander who walked into a gunfight outside Muzik while trying to escape a shooting inside the nightclub where Drake's OVO after-party was being held.
“My deepest condolences go out to the Navarro-Fenoy and Hibbert families for their loss of Ariela and Duvel. Along with them I send my condolences to all of the families that have lost loved ones to the senseless violence that has and continues to occur in our city,” Drake said.
“Although Toronto is globally viewed as a major city, at the core we are still a small close-knit community, and it is our public responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of one another. We need each other to further our communities for generations to come.”
“I pray for better times and better understanding.”
Three other people were also injured in the shootings. Police say that one of the injured victims has since been released from hospital. The other two victims remain in hospital, one in critical condition and the other in serious condition.
Search for suspects continues
Police are searching for two suspects in connection with the shootings. The first suspect is described as a black male with a skinny build, between 5'10" and 5'11" tall, and between 24- and 28-years-old. Police say he was last seen wearing a yellow, burgundy and plaid button-up shirt.
The second suspect is described as a black male, in his mid 20s, and is 6'0" tall. He was last seen with a fresh buzz cut and was wearing a light purple crewneck sweater with a colourful design on the front.
Crime Stoppers has also reached out to rapper Drake for his help in the investigation. "@Drake we need ur voice to help #StopTheViolence in #Toronto – can we set up a meeting? #NoMoreGuns," the group tweeted last week.
"Every person in the city of Toronto has a social responsibility to step up and do something," Crime Stoppers vice chair Sean Sportun said. “Whether you’re a celebrity or influential in the community, we want your help."
